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1980
1980 was not a good year for Detroit. Car sales plunged to their lowest since 1961 amidst recession, rising interest rates and gas prices. All of the Big 3 posted losses with Chrysler being forced to seek assistance from Washington. Losses deprived the company of money needed for new models.
The Thunderbird was downsized onto an extended wheelbase Cardinal platform, the result was ugly and sales suffered accordingly.
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W Edward Deming, who helped create the Toyota Production System, was hired as a consultant by Ford with the goal of improving quality. The company changed its tagline to "Quality is Job #1".. Their strategy was not to achieve Toyota levels of reliability but to make the cars look and feel like Toyota quality through smoother, quieter engines and improved fit and finish.
The company outlined its "One Ford" strategy to consolidate its worldwide offerings by 1990.